Patriots Beat: Edelman makes his return, agrees to deal with Pats

The man who has been called anything from “Minitron” to “The Squirrel” to simply “Jules” is back in the fold.

The man who has been called anything from “Minitron” to “The Squirrel” to simply “Jules” is back in the Foxboro fold.

The NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported on Saturday afternoon that the Patriots and wide receiver Julian Edelman have agreed on a new contract. Terms were not disclosed. Amid all their marquee offseason maneuverings on the defense thus far, the Patriots weren’t about to neglect the offense.

Perhaps the 27-year-old Edelman didn’t get quite the offer he was looking for when he went out to San Francisco and visited with the 49ers on Friday. The Browns and Ravens were also rumored to have interest in the Jules-of-all-trades entering his sixth year in the NFL.

On Twitter, Edelman (@Edelman11) wrote “Foxboro is home. Excited to be back. #grind.” Wide receiver Aaron Dobson (@aarondobson17) then told his teammate his thoughts on the signing, tweeting to No. 11 “yessssirrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Entering the 2013 season, at least in the perception of those outside the Patriots’ facility, Edelman was something of an afterthought in the Patriots’ plans. He had suffered a season-ending foot injury in early December 2012 in Miami and was entering free agency. After visiting the Giants in April of last year, he came back to New England on a one-year deal worth a base of $715,000 and a maximum value with incentives of $1.015 million. Not quite Darrelle Revis’ one-year deal, eh?

Wes Welker had flown the coup for Denver, and Danny Amendola was brought aboard as a de facto replacement. Only a combination of injury and adjustment to Brady kept Amendola from becoming a Welker Lite.

So something funny happened on the way to the Forum … err, Gillette Stadium. Edelman became Mr. Reliable. Previously known mainly for his punt returning prowess – a skill, by the way, he had not even tried until coming to Foxboro – the 5-foot-10, 198-pound Edelman suddenly the Patriots offense’s security blanket, an honor passed on through the years from Ben Coates to Troy Brown to Deion Branch to Wes Welker to Rob Gronkowski, etc.

In his first four years in the league, the former Kent State quarterback and 232nd pick of the 2009 NFL Draft had 69 catches (on 108 targets) for 714 yards and four touchdowns. As has been well-documented, he blew past those numbers in 2013, collecting 105 catches (on 151 targets) for 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. The offense’s struggles in Denver aside, Edelman was effective in the postseason as well, with 16 catches on 24 targets for 173 yards and a touchdown in two games. According to ESPN Stats & Info, Brady completed 70.5% of his passes when targeting Edelman last season.

Also, lest you forget, Edelman has played some defensive back in his time, including getting some defensive snaps in Super Bowl XLVI. And the aforementioned punt return prowess cannot be ignored. In addition to his three return TDs in his career, at one point last season Edelman was the NFL’s all-time leader in punt return average (13.0 yards per return). That number has since dropped to 12.3, but there is no denying that a reliable player fielding punts is a valuable tool.

UPDATE: The Patriots made another move that was announced late Saturday night, as ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Patriots had reached an agreement on a three-year deal with Panthers free agent wide receiver Brandon LaFell. The 27-year-old LaFell was a third-round pick out of LSU in 2010. A big target at 6-foot-3, 211 pounds, LaFell reached his career high in catches in 2013 with 49 for 627 yards and five TDs.

So, in terms of the offense, the Patriots’ current depth chart at wide receiver is now almost identical to last year’s. And now, add in LaFell. Edelman, Amendola and second-year man Dobson are also near the the top and fellow NFL sophomores Kenbrell Thompkins and Josh Boyce will also get a shot. Given the passing game’s struggles in Denver, Bill Belichick, Nick Caserio and co. proved they weren't finished upgrading the receiving corps. The name of Pittsburgh’s Emmanuel Sanders had been thrown around so much you forget he’s never been a Patriot, although he did sign an offer sheet with the Patriots last offseason that the Steelers matched.

Sanders reached a deal with the Broncos late Saturday night, the latest chapter in the NFL's best back-and-forth arms race.

For now, there is a sigh of relief across Patriots country. Those Edelman jerseys can remain at full price. No trip to the discount rack for them.

Tim Whelan Jr. can be reached at 508-626-4402 or twhelan@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @thattimwhelan.

Call
Send SMS
Add to Skype
You'll need Skype CreditFree via Skype

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.